My wife's ancestors - Fitzwilliam - Contents

The Earls Fitzwilliam of England

Are Fitzwilliam of England and Ireland related?

This family had many contacts with the family of the Viscounts Fitzwilliam of Ireland through the centuries. They often referred to each other as kinsmen. But there is no real evidence they are related.

In the 16th century, William Fitzwilliam of the Irish family went to England and started in the service (by 1536) of William Fitzwilliam, 1st Earl of Southampton (created Earl 1537, extinct 1542). The Irish family always regarded the Earl as a relation.
The two families are found using similar arms. But there is evidence that they originally had different arms, and Fitzwilliam of Ireland changed in the 17th century to using similar arms to Fitzwilliam of England (who were created Barons in 1620, Earls in 1716).
Fitzwilliam of Ireland had a major family tree of Fitzwilliam of England made out around the late 17th century (maybe the 1670s). See the huge Fitzwilliam of England scroll in 2057/F1/7. This would be in the time of the Irish 4th Viscount Fitzwilliam (who married two Englishwomen and lived in England). So they took seriously at an early stage the idea they were related. But no proof has been found.
[Cox, 1738] claims the two families are related.
[Lodge's Peerage of Ireland, 1754] claims the two families are related.
A draft claim to the Earldom of Warrington by the Irish 7th Viscount Fitzwilliam claims that William Fitzwilliam, 1st Earl of Southampton is a relation of his family. But gives no evidence. See 2057/L/14.
The 7th Viscount collected material linked to the English family, including the Fitzwilliam Missal.

Sir John Fitzwilliam,
of Sprotbrough, near Doncaster, Yorkshire (see map).
See thepeerage and wikitree and tudorplace.
He mar Elizabeth Clinton.
He founded in 1372 the chantry of St.Edward in St Mary's Church, Sprotbrough (see map and street view and Geograph).
Sir John and Elizabeth had issue:

Sir William Fitzwilliam.
See thepeerage and wikitree and tudorplace.
He mar Maud Cromwell [descendant of King John].
They had issue:
1. Sir John Fitzwilliam.
  He died 1417.
  Ancestor of the Earls Fitzwilliam.
Edmund Fitzwilliam,
had issue:
1. Edmund Fitzwilliam,
  had issue:
  1. Richard Fitzwilliam,
    of Aldwark, Yorkshire.
    He mar Elizabeth Clarell.
    He died 1479.
    They had issue:
    1. Sir Thomas Fitzwilliam,
      of Aldwark, Yorkshire.
      He died 1495.

Sprotbrough, Yorkshire.
"Ch." in the centre is St Mary's Church.
From old map. Revised: 1901. Published: 1904.

The Fitzwilliam Missal

The Irish 7th Viscount Fitzwilliam (died 1816) collected a 15th century missal that belonged to Richard Fitzwilliam of Aldwark (died 1479).
He later gave this along with his collection to Cambridge to found the Fitzwilliam Museum.
See The illuminated manuscripts in the library of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, William George Searle, 1876.
- See pp.146-149.
- See Searle's Fitzwilliam tree showing who is listed in the missal (Fitzwilliam of Aldwark family).
See A descriptive catalogue of the manuscripts in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Montague Rhodes James, 1895.
- See p.87 and p.88 and p.429.
- James says the 7th Viscount inherited the missal through his family, but this seems a bit unlikely. Unless previous generations were collecting Fitzwilliam of England material too, which I suppose is possible.

References

FITZWILLIAM in [Burkes Peerage]

Sources yet to be consulted

FITZWILLIAM in [Complete Peerage]